Doncaster RLFC: Thornton delighted at nine-try blitz of South Wales

Steve Hossack

Dons head coach Gary Thornton saluted a job well done as his side swept past South Wales Scorpions on the Keepmoat athletic ground.

Doncaster topped the 50-point mark for the second successive home game as they returned to winning ways following their defeat away to leaders Toulouse.

“It was a game we were expected to win and we got the job done,” said Thornton.

“We didn’t make the best of starts and they had a lot of early pressure but we defended well, as we did throughout the game.

“I was a little bit concerned that we wouldn’t be able to throw the ball about as we normally do having had to switch the game to the athletics track but we scored nine tries and picked up the two points.

“The margin of victory also served to boost our point difference which is not as good as the other teams around us chasing a top-four finish.

“Most, though not all, of our tries were close range efforts and whilst we normally like to play an expansive game we got the message out to the players to play it more down the middle because I thought all four props caused them problems with their running.

“I thought Matty Nicholson had his best game for us and was probably the man-of-the-match, though it was given to full-back Tom Carr who kicked all nine goals.”

“Although we can play better over the 80 minutes I was pleased with the performance.

“With us getting bodies back the players know they have to perform well to keep the shirt and I think they met that criteria today.”